We at the BRAIN wish all of you peace, happiness and wellness during the holiday season.
It’s almost the end of the year and folks’ celebratory preparations are probably well under way. Sometimes it’s tough to remember that this is a season of joy, what with all the shopping, cooking, baking and running around that we all do in December. Not to mention the credit card bills in the New Year. One of the things that eases the stress of the season and cheers me is the tradition of lighting our houses. Christmas lights help me remember that the solstice is near and soon the days will be getting longer again. Is it any wonder that so many cultures and religions celebrate at this time of year? The darkness is receding, if that isn’t a reason to throw a party or two I don’t know what is.
Those who work with me know that Christmas isn’t really my bag, “Bah! Humbug!” is more likely to spill from my lips than, “Ho! Ho! Ho!” I prefer the Grinch Who Stole Christmas to The Christmas Story. I would love it if we could all tone down the consumerism thing just a bit. Somehow though, shopping and lists naturally go with this season, don’t they? So, in that spirit, here’s a list from the BRAIN, some things new, cool, and fun. One is even charitable. Take a gander; maybe there is something to put on your wish list, or perhaps the perfect gift idea for someone near and dear.
1. My absolute favourite 2007 techie toy has to be the iPod Touch. I have drunk so much of Apple’s Kool-Aid that my face is stained purple! I love my iPod Touch. You have to see this amazing gadget! They are ultra-cool. Not only can you listen to music, you can store photos, watch movies and surf the web. Not to mention that it’ll help me get ready for the iPhone.
2. Want to splurge a bit on a child in your life and help another child in a developing country at the same time? Have you heard about the One Lap Top Per Child program? Here is Cory Doctorow’s post to BoingBoing to spell it out for you: “The Foundation that manages the One Laptop Per Child Program (which will give one low-cost, Linux-based laptop to every child in the developing world — eventually) is making their machines available for sale in the developed world this Christmas. The price is $399, and includes two laptops, one of which will be given to a child in the developing world.” Talk about the gift that keeps on giving. I wouldn’t blame you if you stopped reading right now and headed over to Laptop Foundation to make a purchase.
3. If were a child I’d want a Pleo robot dinosaur. They are absolutely the best robotic thing I’ve ever seen. They walk, cry, cuddle, and explore on their own and when they want to. Apparently if you pull their tales they’ll cry so realistically that you’ll never do it again.
4. A GPS receiver. GPS stands for Global Positioning System. These handy, dandy gadgets help you find your way, whether you’re walking, driving or riding your bike. You just tell the receiver where you are and where you want to go and it plots your route and gives you directions. You’ve got to shop around, you can get a basic one for around $150.00 or you can spend $500.00 and buy one that streams driving directions through your car stereo. They’re also handy for plotting running and cycling routes to plan your training or share with friends. I don’t have a brand or model to recommend, starting at PC Magazine’s 2007 Gift Guide wouldn’t hurt.
5. Here’s something I can only describe as “If you have to ask, you can’t afford it”. The Titanic DNA watch. This is a watch made from steel recovered from the hull of the sunken luxury liner, the Titanic, yes that Titanic. Its black face is coloured with a paint made from coal dust ground from coal also recovered from the wreck. Like the website I read says, maybe the best thing about this Titanic is that Celine Dion has nothing to do with it.
6. What Christmas list would be complete without a bike? Why not the infinite gear bicycle I found in Popular Science magazine’s round up of the best innovations of 2007? The inventors were inspired by a Leonardo da Vinci sketch to create a quiet, constantly shifting bike transmission. Instead of hubs and a derailleur, “… a set of spheres rotate around a central point to transfer torque from the pedals to the road. Tilting the spheres changes their contact diameters, permitting an infinite progression of speed ratios within its range. The result is that you’re always pedaling at just the right speed.” Cool technology, & cool looking bike, what more could you ask for?
Happy Shopping! Lastly, I can’t resist one environmentally friendly piece of advice – take it easy with the wrapping paper and bows, o.k?
Posted by librarybrainblog 
